MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
FOR THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, IL
HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2004

Chairman Fullmer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and called the Roll; the following members were

PRESENT: Chairman Richard Fullmer, Jr., Mr. Edward Ziemba, Mr. Steven Jasinski, Ms. Tina Grotzke, Mr. Richard Toth, Mr. Frank Thullen

ABSENT: Mr. Daniel Moss Mr. Robert Lube, Ms. Cynthia Schulz

ALSO PRESENT: Mayor LeGant, Ald. Krzeminski, Ald. Fajdich, CDO Muenzer, Attorney Erik Peck

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The first order of business was approval of the minutes of August 31, 2004. Ms. Grotzke moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Ziemba and carried unanimously.

REVIEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – VISION FOR 2004

Mr. Muenzer stated that this is the final draft for the City’s Comprehensive Plan; it is the final opportunity for the Board to view this document in its entirety including the two new sections entitled – Implementation and Action Agenda. Mr. Muenzer thanked the Board for the nine special meetings held in connection with this plan, plus three special meetings in connection with the recent annexation for a total of 12 special meetings during the past year. After Board input and public comment, the plan will be sent to City Council for final approval.

Mr. John Houseal of URS/TPAP summarized the entire plan and discussed the Implementation and Action Agenda sections. Community Wide Plans and Sub Area Plans have been on display in the lobby for some time; those areas will not be reviewed tonight. Those plans have previously received public comment and Board input.

The document distributed for tonight’s meeting is the draft Comprehensive Plan – Vision for 2024 (119 pages). It has been posted on the Web site plus additional hard copies can be found outside Council Chambers. The plan summarizes all the findings gleaned from community input sessions including a number of different mechanisms to find out what people actually liked and did not like, and provides a vision statement for the next 20 years with goals and objectives based on those findings. These are listed in the Land Use Plan, Community Facilities Plan and Transportation Plan, plus several Sub-Area Plans, which are all on display in the lobby. Specific plans for each of the six sub-areas have been completed and include a parcel-by-parcel analysis.

The Implementation Section (page 45) has not been publicly reviewed. This section highlights that recommended specific actions be taken to realize the plan components over the next 20 years. It identifies projects to be completed and what the City should do to make these projects a reality, identifies potential sources of funding for some of these projects, and identifies other entities involved in working with the city to see these projects through to fruition. Steps in this chapter are broken down into five basic components:

Administrative – including zone ordinance changes, building code enforcement;

Regulatory – zoning code changes including intensity of land use development;

Capital Improvement – identify projects that dovetail with plan recommendations to optimize funding several years in advance;

Regular Review and Update – Plan made available to the public with review by the Plan Commission and Staff on a regular basis;

Action Agenda (page 54) components include Commercial Recommendations, Residential Recommendations – infrastructure, open space — listing key projects that should be completed; the role of the City in getting the projects accomplished; other possible participants required for accomplishment of projects and possible tools, techniques and resources necessary for completion of projects. He explained details of the process and noted several pages of recommendations. Recommendations were created as part of the Implementation Section drawn from the planning work done over the past 14 months. The recommendations for Industrial were taken from the Sub-Area Plan and the Land Use Plan. The Action Agenda provides plans for Industrial, Residential, Commercial, Community Facilities, Transportation /Circulation movements, Design & Appearance, and Administrative Actions. Mr. Houseal completed his presentation and asked for comment on Implementation or Action Agenda sections.

Mr. Muenzer stated that the Action Agenda really is a road map to improvements the City has been seeking – a very specific and comprehensive list of tasks in a variety of different areas – it is a 20-year Master Plan and should be updated annually. Mr. Jasinski sought the distinction between Priority 1 and Priority 2 in terms of time. Priority 1 items require immediate action while Priority 2 and 3 items may have a 5-10 year timeline. The top ten grouping should focus on administrative actions – projects that do not require a huge capital outlay, such as changing zoning ordinances, which could have a huge impact going forward. Mr. Muenzer noted that the Landscaping Ordinance is being addressed in the near future; comprehensive redevelopment of the Plaza will be discussed at the next meeting.

Terry DiPaolo, 7425 Willow Springs Road, believes that the potential for property development across from Edgewood Valley Country Club should be addressed in this document. Mr. Muenzer stated that the Comprehensive Plan recommends that the area in question be zoned single family residential at present. Market conditions are dynamic; the Comprehensive Plan can be changed at any time to reflect changing conditions. At present this Comprehensive Plan reflects the consensus of the community. Roger Marinkoff, 7424 Prescott Lane, stated that 57 petitioners who live in the immediate area are opposed to that proposal; ten residents are present here tonight. Chairman Fullmer stated that any individual may petition the PC/ZBA for a change in the Zoning Code.

Chairman Fullmer praised Mr. Muenzer for his extensive efforts in this regard and asked whether this document is satisfactory in all aspects. Mr. Muenzer answered affirmatively; he noted that after nine public hearings with all information being published in print form and on the Web site, having conducted a community wide survey, conducted key person interviews, and having solicited as much public input as possible, this comprehensive plan is a reflection of full community participation and is ready to be sent to the City Council.

Mayor LeGant questioned page 109, under plumbing facilities; Mr. Houseal stated he would double check the U.S. Census Bureau figures and clarify the matter. Mr. Lavigne stated that item is usually associated with single room occupancy buildings or boarding houses, none of which exist in Countryside. They will double check that information and revise it accordingly.

Mr. Ziemba moved to accept the Comprehensive Plan as presented, seconded by Mr. Toth and carried by Roll Call vote 5/3/1 – Mr. Jasinski abstained. Chairman Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on November 10, 2004.

OTHER BUSINESS

Chairman Fullmer stated that the November 2, 2004 Regular Meeting of the PC/ZBA is rescheduled to November 16, at 7:30 p.m. The November 2 date conflicts with Election Day.

Chairman Fullmer stated that he and Mr. Thullen will attend a seminar — the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference at the Oak Brook Village Hall on October 23, 2004, dealing with the administrative interpretation of Plan Commission and Zoning Board issues.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Ziemba moved, seconded by Ms. Grotzke, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.